Question re: CC or university...

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Hi! I haven't been around in a while, so I doubt anyone remembers me, but I was wondering if you could give me your opinions on something. I was supposed to have all my prereq's for to apply to several universities around here this spring, but things have happened in my family (specifically my former preemie baby) that have made it impossible for me to finish them all by this year's deadlines.

I have a shot at getting into a community college program this year though. The two best CC nursing programs in the area are different, one has waiting lists, the other uses a points system but has no waiting lists. I can apply to both, though my best shot is the one with the points system.

My question is this, if it were you, would you:

1) Apply to the CC program, and if you get in, once you graduate, go for your RN to BSN while working? OR

2) Just work towards getting the prereqs completed and apply to the universities next year?

There are people around me who are trying to discourage the CC route. I'm tired of hearing about it. By the same token, I want my degree quickly. (Or at least I don't want to waste any more time) My goal is NICU nursing. I know the NICU my sons were in does not require a BSN, though certainly they like it. I want to be the best nurse I can be and get the best education I can get so I can do the best job I can.

I'm rambling now, so I'll stop. I just wondered what your opinions were on the matter. Thank you in advance! :D

Tiffany

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

I personally am doing the first option. Do whatever your heart desires. Good luck

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You do know that with an RN, you can go straight to the MSN and bypass a BSN, right? So think that through as well.

I've applied to four BSN programs, and I'm applying to an ADN program as well. I'll go to whomever takes me, and I'll just be happy to be able to say I'm in nursing school because the end result (eventually being an acute/chronic peds NP) will be the same regardless of the route I take to get there!

I say apply and see what happens. Then you'll have a bit of time to make your decision. What if you got in? You won't know unless you try!

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At the top universities in Illinois you need a BSN before you're admitted to a MSN program. So be careful. :)

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Specializes in med surg, icu.

I was talking to a relative of mine who's a nurse that worked with students from various local nursing programs, and she told me that the nursing students she worked with from the local community college program (which had 79 students take the NCLEX last year WITH a 100% passing rate) had excellent clinical skills; the local 4-year state university (which, on the other hand, had an 125 students take it with an 87.5% passing rate) was good at charting, but lacking/"deficient" at clinical initially and had to be helped a lot more. However, both types of schools produced excellent nurses in the end.

IMO, check out the programs, see what their NCLEX passing rates are, and figure out which works best for your schedule and future plans. There are a LOT of CC RN associates degree programs that are extremely impressive and probably surpass their BSN counterparts with clinical training (you can easily get your BSN online afterwards anyways). Likewise, there are many part-time opportunities for you to get your BSN afterwards, too. =)

edit: link to California NCLEX passing rates, in case anyone is interested for future reference: http://www.rn.ca.gov/schools/passrates.htm

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I am going to a Community College by choice. I feel very good about that. I guess I could be wrong, but I dont see that there is any difference besides price. I know the college I am attending has an excellent program.

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Although both AD and BSN students have an RN, the main difference is that BSN's can move into management positions more easily. Once you get your RN from a community college you may want to go onto a BSN program. Plus your work may even pay for it too!

Good Luck!

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Apply first, and see if you are admitted, then worry about the rest.

I personally wouldn't wait for admission to a BSN program, especially if your goal is to be a NICU nurse. It seems that you would need nothing more than an ADN...

Best Wishes!

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